The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(105)

“I swear you read minds,” Zoelyn mumbled with a faint shake of her head.

“I read expressions and yours screams concern. I had to guess which you were concerned about, though. It could have been Jala, or it could have been five weeks of my company. I chose the answer that was less insulting to me,” Seth explained and gave her a devilish smile. “By your answer, though I was right and you no longer fear my company.”

“I didn’t say that. You are still frightening,” Zoelyn objected quietly.

“Ahh. But from the look on your face in the garden when you saw my messenger, it’s frightening in a good way. Perhaps exciting is a better word,” Seth smiled at her and her breath caught again. It wasn’t the same expression as the one he had used in the council room. It was as if he had two different smiles entirely, one that he showed the rest of the world, and one that was for her alone.

“Maybe,” she whispered and swallowed heavily. “We should get Legacy,” she added in a slightly louder voice, hoping her words would drive his attention elsewhere. She truly had no desire for him to see her blushing.

I could keep you safe. Why do you have to go with him? Dray’s voice echoed in her mind and she turned to look around. She had forgotten about Dray as much as she hated to admit it. Guilt prodded at her as she considered how lost he had been without her the last time she traveled with Seth to the Darklands. It had taken Emily knocking him out to control him until she was back, and she had only been gone for one night.

“I need the time to train, Dray,” Zoelyn explained as she tried to guess where he was. Typically he was near her, but he was using a mental link now, so he could be anywhere in the house. It still amazed her that he was able to use mental links with her at all. Every other person that had tried to use magic on her failed, but Dray somehow managed it.

You could train here, Dray protested, a note of stubbornness rising in his voice.

“I will have longer there to train and Seth knows what I need to work on,” Zoelyn explained calmly.

“Your Blight has an issue?” Seth asked with a smile. He scanned the hallway quickly and his golden eyes settled almost instantly on the wall behind her. “She is coming with me, and she will return when Legacy does. I promise to bring her back in one piece, boy. Surely you can contain your jealousy for a week.”

I don’t like him, Dray informed her coldly. You shouldn’t trust him.

“There are a lot of people that would say the same about us Dray. Don’t trust her, she is Undrae. Don’t trust him he is Blight. I like Jala’s belief of judging on merit,” Zoelyn sighed.

“He is a self-created monster. He wasn’t born a Demon. He chose a path in life that made him one,” Dray said in a quiet voice. It was rare that he actually spoke aloud with others around, and she knew he had only done so now so that Seth would hear as well.

“Everyone can find redemption, Dray,” Zoelyn replied quietly. “If they choose to look for it,” Dray growled.

Seth smiled at the Blight and nodded his head slightly. “Wise for your age. I am a self-created monster. You are correct. Everyone that I murdered, tortured, or destroyed was my enemy. Remember that, Dray before you decide to piss me off.” His smile turned cold as he spoke and he bowed his head once in the Blight’s direction. “We are leaving now. You have a week to exist without her. I think you will survive. Get in my way now, though, and I can promise you won’t.”

“Please, Dray. I will be fine. I promise,” Zoelyn assured him with a smile.

“You have them fooled, but not me. I’m not afraid of you either. When the time comes I will be ready to send you back to hell again,”

Dray promised in the loudest voice she had ever heard him use.

Seth had turned to leave, but at the Blight’s words he froze mid-step and slowly turned to look back at the Blight. “Even the Divine fear me,” he whispered and the tone of his voice made her skin crawl. “I am the Crow King. I am the Herald of Death. I am the Nightmare of thousands. Women shiver at the mention of my name and grown men weep at the thought of facing my blades, and yet you say you do not fear me.” He stalked toward the wall where the Blight stood and his hands dropped lightly to his daggers. “You can hate me. You can say you don’t fear me, that’s fine. Bide your time, little Blight, and when you decide you are man enough to send me back to hell, let me know.”

“The moment you hurt Zoey will be the moment I kill you, Demon,” Dray hissed. “How touching,” Seth smiled again and shook his head at the Blight.